LAS VEGAS – Asu Almabayev is ready to take over the upper echelon of flyweight after UFC on ESPN 58.
Almabayev (20-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC) extended his win streak to 16 by defeating Jose Johnson (16-9 MMA, 1-2 UFC) via unanimous decision on Saturday at the UFC Apex.
Almabayev has called out former title challenger Kai Kara-France and thinks he deserves a top contender for his next fight.
“My record is 20-2, I’ve been in this sport a long time and I’ve faced a lot of good fighters,” Almabayev told reporters through an interpreter at the UFC on ESPN 58 post-fight press conference. is the top five. That’s why I’m ready.”
Despite his confidence, the 30-year-old Kazakh fighter was slightly critical of his performance against Johnson.
“Of course I made a lot of mistakes. I need to learn more,” Almabayev said. “So, as they say, as long as you live, as long as you learn. I need to watch the fight and I don’t want to praise myself. That’s why I’m not always satisfied with my performance.”
You can watch Almabayev’s full post-fight press conference in the video above.
For more information on the card, visit the MMA Junkie events hub to UFC on ESPN 58.
